tanto or drop point griptilian

FENCER

FENCER

Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
70
I'm gonna get teh griptilian i've been asking about and now i'm at the point where i need to decide drop point or tanto? This knife will be used for everyday cutting nothing horribly tough. Which should i choose?
I'm leaning towards drop point but i want some other opinons.
Thanks
 
FENCER,

do not take this in an offensive tone, because it isn't intended as one, merely it's to inform.

There's no such thing as a tanto griptilian, the other griptilian blade style is what's called a "Sheepsfoot" blade.

In order to understand what good examples of tanto knives are, I suggest you take a look at any Chisel Ground Tanto Emerson (CQC7B, SPECWAR B, Raven B, Blackbird B, etc.) or a Spyderco Lum Tanto, this should illustrate the diffeerences.

Please note i'm not trying to belittle you with semantics, I just want to help you out, since a storeowner might get pretty confused if you ask for a "Tanto Griptilian".

Ok now that the education is over, it's time for my opinion:

for most everyday cutting tasks a tip is important, one of the key aspects of the sheepsfoot blade is it has extremely little tip, and even that tends not be very sharp - the goal of the sheepsfoot is provide as much slicing belly as is possibly available, the sheepsfoot also makes a fitting blade style for "rescue" knives, since you don't have to worry about the point poking someone you might be trying to help - so for everyday use I have a hard time recommending a sheepsfoot blade.
However, i've heard the complaint that because of the design of the drop point griptilian, deep cutting is virtually impossible - examining the blade, I find this to probably be a legitimate complaint... granted, most EDC use involves shallow cutting, but keep this in mind.
Personally, if *I* was getting a Griptilian (and I think I will be sometime next year), i'd most likely go for the sheepsfoot for the following reasons:
#1 never actually had a sheepsfoot knife before, I think it'd be cool to try.
#2 the sheepsfoot is the "original" blade design for the griptilian, the drop point seems and acts alot more like some kind of afterthought
#3 the sheepsfoot blade seems more like it can handle the deep cutting the drop point can't... in my mind this is kind of important, but bear in mind, that I've got more than one knife, if I had to get one griptilian to do it all, i'd prolly have to go for the drop point.
 
I think the drop point design is much more potentially useful. I have the sheepsfoot type and had to regrind the profile of the "snout" to get utilitarian value from it. The newer drop point blade looks like the way to go to me and I plan on picking one up if my local store gets one. It's great knife BTW, and an extremely affordable way to get an axis lock knife.
 
sry bout the tanto at first glance thought it was a reverse tanto...:o ok i think im gonna go for the drop point. I recently got a gerber ar 3.00 and like the blade so i'm goin drop point. thanks!
 
Actually they call it a modified sheepsfoot. It's got more tip than most traditional sheepsfoots do. :)
 
FENCER,
Great posts MR. FENCER!!!!! I am happy to see you have crosed the threshold and are WELL on your way to true manhood.;) ;) Just listen and START to keep a diary of the very valuable information you shall be provided on these forums, and when you have choosen the right blade design and you and DAD order, do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT allow anyone to shoot the driver of the brown truck!!!!!!!!:D :D :D
Whatever choice, I think this is going to be a SPECIAL knife.......wolf
 
thanks for the sheepsfoot info :D Thanks Wolf! I'll be sure to escort the ups guy to the door everytime he comes;)
 
You've got some good advice.., and I truly think the 550 Drop Point is darn near as good as it gets for the $$$. Personaly I wouldn't fool around with the Sheepsfoot blade, because it sounds like you have no specialized use in mind. I got a few of the drop points for my nephews and one cousin...(all active in outdoor foresty programs)...and they absolutely love them! Granted..., these are "kids"...but all of them are very proficient "knife-nuts".., including hand sharpening on India stones, etc. I guess we'll all see how well they hold up time-wise (and I also didn't buy one for myself)...so I can't say much about the "Abuse Factor", but I have sharpened two of the pieces I gave as gifts, and they take a very good edge on the 440C (also easily sharpened in the field if you are a camper, hiker, etc.)~~> also pretty light for a decent sized knife.

A very good way to get into a superior locking system at a good price!



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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